Graduation Prayers

Court Appears To Open A Door To Those Who Knock

June 21, 1993

The subject of school prayer and separation of church and state is one to be approached cautiously. Sincere people with strong feelings clash here. They do battle in court.

Currently, the conflict rages around a federal court ruling in Texas. The court, in a decision the Supreme Court declined to review, said that student-led prayer in public schools is acceptable. The Texas ruling was surprising, because in 1992 the Supreme Court said graduation prayers led by members of the clergy are unconstitutional. In response to the Texas ruling, a number of school systems have allowed student-led prayer at graduation ceremonies, prompting further legal challenge.

The logic of such hair-splitting is hard to follow. We are to believe that (a) the Constitution prohibits prayer by clergymen at public school graduation ceremonies and (b) that prayer is constitutional if led by students.

Individuals can pray whenever they want to. No power on earth can prevent that. People are free to gather for prayer at churches, in private homes or at any other number of places. Court rulings have basically prohibited public school employees from leading or organizing prayer, a position both reasonable and respectful of religious life.

While at first glance it may seem reasonable to permit students to decide on whether to have prayer led by students, one can easily imagine problems. How will students who don't want to pray react? Who will write the prayer? Will it be acceptable to people of all religious faiths?

Common sense and polite respect for other people's wishes would seem to offer solutions to these problems. If people at a public ceremony want to pray, shouldn't they be able to pray and couldn't those who object tolerate it? We tolerate a constant assault on our senses by advertising and loud radios. Traffic lights, bank lines and traffic congestion have no respect for our individual needs yet we tolerate the inconvenience. But our community life lacks civility and tolerance. Some individuals are determined to inflict their will on the community. The result has been good business for lawyers.